Looking to the Neck for Natural Sciatica Relief

Sciatica is a condition in which pain radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which travels from the low back through the hips, buttocks, and down each leg. Pain, sometimes severe, can be felt anywhere along the nerve, but it is most commonly felt along a path between the buttocks and the back of the thigh or calf. The pain can range from a mild ache to a sharp excruciating sensation.

Although it may seem strange to consider, since the pain is elsewhere, often the source of sciatic nerve pain begins with a misalignment in the neck. The spine is connected from top to bottom by many joints, ligaments, and muscles. When the top two vertebrae in the neck, the keystone of the spine, misalign, it causes a cascading effect of problems. Over time, this head and neck misalignment distorts a person’s posture, ultimately leading to imbalances in the low back that can cause sciatica.

In his Fair Oaks upper cervical chiropractic clinic, Dr. Gottlieb can determine if a misalignment of the top two vertebrae in the neck is the root cause of your sciatica. Treating the symptoms of sciatic pain will not lead to lasting relief if the root cause lies in the neck. In many cases, an upper cervical chiropractic adjustment is the best way to achieve natural, lasting relief from sciatica. While it might seem counter-intuitive at first to start at the neck when the pain is in the lower back and leg, getting to the bottom of the issue is always your best bet.